This language is written and read right-to-left, however in this blog post because the main body of text is English, the text is aligned on the left-side.
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# Alphabet
There are 14 primary letters in Pahlavi Vendidad, some of which are used for multiple sounds. First, let's look at each letter of the alphabet individually.
Notes: Joins with preceding <spanclass='pahlavi'>f, gE, s, a, l, Z</span> and <spanclass='pahlavi'>G</span>, but not with any succeeding letter. Pahlavi words ending with <spanclass='pahlavi'>t, c, p, k</span> and <spanclass='pahlavi'>n</span>, can optionally add an extra final <spanclass='pahlavi'>n</span>.
Notes: In the body of a word it retains its form <spanclass='pahlavi'>f</span> before <spanclass='pahlavi'>n, i, b, k</span> as <spanclass='pahlavi'>y, I!, __B!, q</span> and <spanclass='pahlavi'>H!</span>; in all other cases it lapses into <spanclass='pahlavi'>i</span>.
Examples:
1.<spanclass='pahlavi'>f</span> (ê or î): used as an izâfat اضافت to show relation between two words, as possessor and the person or a thing possessed, in which case <spanclass='pahlavi'>f</span> shows the genitive case.
2.<spanclass='pahlavi'>rFnp_f_rTXË</span> (mâtar-î-pûsar): mother of the boy; مادرِ پسر.
3. Using izâfat is optional, and when it is dropped, it is necessary that the qualifying adjective or the thing possessed must precede the thing possessed or qualified; e.g. <spanclass='pahlavi'>rTXË_rFnp</span> (pûsar mâtar), and it is the rule that a <spanclass='pahlavi'>Q</span> (zak) or <spanclass='pahlavi'>fQ</span> (zak-î) is added before the two words, so: <spanclass='pahlavi'>rTXË_rFnp_fQ</span> (pûsar mâtar)
4. It is also used as a rendering of Avesta relative pronouns <spanclass='pahlavi'>OvjE</span>, <spanclass='pahlavi'>WvjE</span>, <spanclass='pahlavi'>TavjE</span>, who, which and what.
5. Used as the numeral "one" when it follows a substantive, e.g. <spanclass='pahlavi'>f_aB!</span> (gabrâ-ê) a man; <spanclass='pahlavi'>f_TlË</span> (mart-ê) a man; مردی.
1. Combines with all preceding letters except <spanclass='pahlavi'>n,_ b,_k,_t,_c</span> and with all succeeding letters except <spanclass='pahlavi'>n,_ b,_Ë</span> where it takes the forms <spanclass='pahlavi'>y, __B!,_M!</span>.
2. Used to represent numeral "one", e.g. <spanclass='pahlavi'>ZLi</span> (ê-raz): one hundred; یک صد, <spanclass='pahlavi'>KLi</span> (ê-rag): one thousand; یک هزار.
# <span class='pahlavi'>gE / F</span>
Sound: s
Modern Persian equivalent: س
Notes:
1. The <spanclass='pahlavi'>gE</span> form of this letter is used when it is the final word of a simple word, or when that simple word is part of a compound word, e.g. <spanclass='pahlavi'>gEAr</span> (râs), <spanclass='pahlavi'>gEann</span> (vînâs), <spanclass='pahlavi'>Rak_gEann</span> (vînâs-kâr)
2. The <spanclass='pahlavi'>gE</span> form of this letter is also used when before <spanclass='pahlavi'> B,_Ë,_n</span>, e.g. <spanclass='pahlavi'>t_gE</span> (sût), <spanclass='pahlavi'>vH_gEA</span> (asmân)
3. The <spanclass='pahlavi'>gE</span> form of this letter is also used to represent the numerical cipher 40, forty <spanclass='pahlavi'>J___A_jEc</span> (chêhal); چهل
Examples:
1.<spanclass='pahlavi'>N_gE</span> (dîv): satan, Dev, a demon, an evil spirit; دیو.
2.<spanclass='pahlavi'>s|rF</span> (srôsh): one who obeys or hears; the name of the angel who protects mankind by night and day against the attacks of the Daevas, and guards the souls of the dead for the first three nights. He may be compared with Gabriel of Semitic mythology, as a principle messenger of God. He is always styled as <spanclass='pahlavi'>n b|rsA_=_s|rF</span> (srôsh-î-ahlôb): holy srosh; metaphorically means "obedience", "humility".; سروش.
3.<spanclass='pahlavi'>nvjXpF</span> (spâhân): The city of Ispahan, former capital city of Iran; اصفهان.
# <span class='pahlavi'>s</span>
Sound: š (sh)
Modern Persian equivalent: ش
Notes:
1. In Indian manuscripts this letter is generally given as <spanclass='pahlavi'></span>DE</span>, which can be read as š, dâ, gâ, jâ, yâ, ih.
Examples:
1.<spanclass='pahlavi'>ivjX</span> (šûi): a husband; شوی، شوهر.
2.<spanclass='pahlavi'>nnTFvjX</span> (šôstan): to wash, to cleanse, to purify; شستن.
The table below is taken from _Glossary of Pahlavi Vendidad (1953)_ by Dinsham D. Kapadia, which illustrates how the letters of the alphabet mix when they appear together.
